If I am in Canada or Mexico and want to drive to the U.S., do I need to apply for ESTA?

If you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country and you are entering the United States by land from Mexico or Canada, an ESTA is not required.

First entry across the land border without a valid ESTA – you will need to fill out a paper I-94W form and go through the manual entry procedure at the land border crossing.

First land border entry with a valid ESTA – you will not need to fill out the paper I-94W form, but you must still go through the manual entry procedure at the land border crossing.

Re-entry at the land border with a valid Form I-94W or valid passport stamp of previous entry – If you are re-entering the United States after a trip of less than 30 days to Mexico or Canada, you will not need to obtain a new Form I-94W and your entry process will be expedited.

Note: VWP citizens do not need an ESTA to travel on ferries between Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, and Washington State. They are treated as a land border port.